card counting - performance enhancing drugs?

[BFC]

has anybody here tried taking ritalin (or its cousins) to help focus at the casino? I'd think it would be a pretty useful tool, especially as the hours start to drag on...

 

[21forme]

I've heard military pilots have taken Provigil for very long missions.

However, is it worth it, if you need drugs?

 

[BFC]

short answer: yes.
the long answer would direct us way off-topic for this forum.

 

[Sonny]

The problem with stimulants like Ritalin is that they also affect the nerves to the heart as well as the neurons to the brain. Although it can help you to think faster (not necessarily BETTER), too much stimulant can cause heart attacks or arrhythmia. In moderate doses it can give you a nice buzz but you will have a pretty big crash when your brain suddenly can’t synthesize more neurotransmitters fast enough to keep up with the release. The brain will literally shut itself down and stop communicating altogether. When taken chronically in small doses it can give you a little extra pep, but that won’t last long either. Your brain will try to adjust to the influx of activity by shutting down some of it’s receptors. Suddenly you are not getting the buzz you need anymore and you may suffer from withdrawal since your brain is no longer functioning properly without the added stimulation.

The information above is from a post called “BJ Drugs for Dummies” in the Green Chip archives by Jimbo M.D. It discusses all sorts of other drugs and their affects on the brain (both short-term and long-term). I highly recommend reading that article if you want to pursue brain enhancing supplements.

-Sonny-

 

[BFC]

thanks. . . is that located at bj21.com?

 

[Sonny]

thanks. . . is that located at bj21.com?

Yes. You need to buy a membership to GC first, then you can access the archives. There are a lot of really good articles there. I would suggest buying the shortest subscription possible (I think it's $12 for 3 months). You can always renew if you enjoy the message boards, but don't bother committing until you get a feel for it. Some people love it, others don’t want to spend the money.

-Sonny-

 

[zengrifter]

Forget GreenChip! zg

----------------
BJ Performance Drugs by ZG

Pharmaceutical strength stimulants like Ritalin or Meth are dificult to use effectively. They can restore high alertness when sleep is deprived, BUT any time that one does not opt for sleep when available it could likely be due to playing on tilt. If you are on tilt already, then stimulants will just make you go MORE on tilt.

So, just as in combat, stimulants like Ritalin and Speed require discipline and special circumstance for efective use - a special circumstance might be time constraint, for example, that you MUST get in 50-hrs of play in a 3-day cycle.

Stimulants deplete the essential brain adrenalin - 'norepinephrine' - and thus become increasingly less effective after 36-hrs of use, and may lead to toxic psychosis.

An alternative to stimulants is to INCREASE your norepinephrine supply by taking the amino acids L-Tryosine and L-Phenylalanine, which is not only healthy but also remarkably stimulating. Take these aminos in the morning on an empty stomach for 3-days and the stimulation will kick in.

Beyond the aminos, a few brain performance enhancement nutrients that I have used and advocate -

Vinpocetine is an alkaloid synthesized from vincamine, a natural compound extracted from the leaves of periwinkle (Vinca minor L) which was first developed in Europe over 20 years ago.
(Dead link: http://organicpharmacy.org/products/Vinpocetine/SKU:VI6-pe) _http://organicpharmacy.org/products/...ine/SKU:VI6-pe_

Deer Antler Extract - strength-endurance-recovery-HGH-aphrodisiac-anti aging-improve memory-boost immunity - LipoSpray is carefully derived from a proprietary Cold-Pressed extract of New Zealand Dear Velvet (Cervi Parvum Cornu)
http://www.biosynergy.com/IGF.htm

Piracetam is a member of the class of drugs known as nootropics or 'smart drugs'. Nootropics are known commonly as cognitive enhancers. Considered a "smart drug" or nootropic, piracetam is reported to enhance cognitive functions of the brain such as memory, attention, intelligence, etc.
http://www.erowid.org/smarts/piracetam/piracetam.shtml

Diapid (Sandoz) - Vasopressin nasal spray - is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus which increases water retention. When used as a 'smart drug', it is said to increase mental clarity and improve memory.
http://www.erowid.org/smarts/vasopressin/vasopressin.shtml

Modafinil and Adrafinil are the first of an entirely new class of pharmaceutical - Eugeroics - designed to promote vigilance and alertness. This unique class contains only Modafinil and Adrafinil, both of which have been developed by Lafon Laboratories as wake-promoting agents that improve wakefulness. The basis of their uniqueness lies in their ability to stimulate only when stimulation is required. As a result, the "highs and lows" associated with other stimulants such as amphetamine are absent with Eugeroics. Modafinil and Adrafinil won't prevent a person from sleeping if they want to, but if they wish to remain awake they will do so with a far greater alertness.
(Dead link: http://www.modafinil-adrafinil.com/)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES -

Smart Drugs 2 - The Next Generation
[FONT=verdana,]Nootropics / smart drugs[/FONT]
EROWID VAULT - NOOTROPICS
Natural Mental Enhancement

SOURCES (purchase)-

[FONT=Verdana,][SIZE=-1]LEF
(Dead link: http://www.ceri.com/sources.htm) _CERI_
Lifelink
(Dead link: http://nootropics.ipbhost.com/) _Nootropiks_
(Dead link: http://www.aurapharm.com/) _AuraPharm_
(Dead link: http://www.avantlabs.com/) _Avant Labs_
RevGenetics
Unique Nutrition
(Dead link: http://www.teamliferesearch.com/) _L.I.F.E Research_
Mailpharma.com
(Dead link: http://www.medicationx.com/) _MedicationX.com_
Farmacie Petrone
(Dead link: http://www.qhi.co.uk/) _Quality Health, Inc_
(Dead link: http://www.yourpharmastore.com/) _YourPharmacyStore_
Vlassis V. Skouvaras
Internatonal Pharmacy
Biogenesis Laboratories
(Dead link: http://www.inhome-health.com/) _Inhome Health Services_
Life Enhancement Products
(Dead link: http://www.canadian-internet-drugs.com/) _Canadian-Internet-Drugs.com_
International AntiAging Systems
On-line, Off-shore and Mexican Pharmacies
International Online Pharmacies (March 2007)[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[Automatic Monkey]

...
So, just as in combat, stimulants like Ritalin and Speed require discipline and special circumstance for efective use - a special circumstance might be time constraint, for example, that you MUST get in 50-hrs of play in a 3-day cycle...

That's a good thought. If you are ever in a situation where you MUST play BJ for 50 hours in 3 days, something is wrong.

When I go on a BJ mission, usually I have just traveled a bit after leaving my full-time job (which I have usually been working extra hours at to make time for my BJ mission) the first thing I do is visit a couple of target casinos to inspect conditions and special circumstances, take my notes, and the next thing I do is go get some sleep. When I wake up I review anything I have to review due to the special conditions, then I go out and play until too tired, at which point I get more sleep.

There's no overstating the value of sleep. Not having it can make you do the craziest things. Anything can happen out there, and you want to make sure you react properly to it, and not in a state of sleep deprivation psychosis. 12-Steppers use the acronym HALT for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired to identify things that make you mentally weak and at risk for making bad decisions so even though I'm not a 12-Stepper I keep this in mind and avoid these states when playing, just because of the risk of trouble we can get ourselves in.

The problem with drugs is that they can mask sleep deprivation effects and also make you believe you can do things you can't. Fantastical thinking is an enemy of the AP and when on a stimulant on hallucinogen kick, maybe playing a progression might seem like a good idea, or you might even believe you know what the next card will be. Or you might try a cheat move and get yourself arrested. Plus we are enduring the pain of negative variance, maybe a little alcohol, and the mental stimulation of AP itself compounding the effect of whatever drug we are using.

So I wouldn't recommend taking any drugs other than any that you always take (e.g. caffeine) or those prescribed by a doctor. At a casino with all your money in front of you just doesn't seem like a good place to be experimenting with altered mental states.

 

[person1125]

Forget GreenChip! zg

----------------

Deer Antler Extract

What about Deer Urine? Spray a little on and it'll keep people away. Probably empty out the table.

 

[zengrifter]

That's a good thought. If you are ever in a situation where you MUST play BJ for 50 hours in 3 days, something is wrong.

Perhaps something is wrong, BUT its not out of the ordinary for pro-APs to play beyond normal sleep cycles - remember ROUNDERS?

All I am saying is that IF one had to incure alot of play hours in a condensed period, amphetamines could be used succesfully, but there is a limit. zg

 

[zengrifter]

[FONT=arial, helvetica]Here's an interesting one that I haven't tried, except in dark chocolate -

-------------------
PEA (PhenylEthylAmine) is a neuromodulator (monoamine) in the brain involved in mood and mental alertness. It naturally occurs in some amounts in chocolate, certain algaes and is produced in the brain from the amino acid D-Phenylalanine.

Phenylethylamine is related to the following neurotransmitters and neuroactive compounds: Dopamine (3,4-dihydroxy-phenethylamine), Tyramine (4-hydroxy-phenethylamine), Epinepinephrine (â,3,4-trihydroxy-N-methyl-phenethylamine), Ephedrine (N-methyl-â-hydroxy-amphetamine), etc.

Its chemically structural relation to these compounds account for its unique effects on mood, focus, mental alertness, and energy. However its effects are relatively short acting as it is usually broken down by the enzyme MAO-B within several hours. This makes it an ideal short-lived yet safe fast acting compound.
http://www.americannutrition.com/store/UNPEA.html[/FONT]

 

[21forme]

Here's an interesting one that I haven't tried, except in dark chocolate -

-------------------
PEA (PhenylEthylAmine) is a neuromodulator (monoamine) in the brain involved in mood and mental alertness. It naturally occurs in some amounts in chocolate, certain algaes and is produced in the brain from the amino acid D-Phenylalanine.

Let us know when you try the algae :grin:

BTW, Nutrasweet contains Phenylalanine, but the L- stereoisomer.

 

[BFC]

le.
.... and may lead to toxic psychosis.

That's exactly what I'm hoping for! :laugh:
Thanks, that was a helpful post, and thanks for others w/ their opinions.

 

[zengrifter]

Let us know when you try the algae :grin:

BTW, Nutrasweet contains Phenylalanine, but the L- stereoisomer.

L-Phenylalanine is good too - BUT Nutrasweet is aspartame, a carcinogenic brain toxin. zg

 

[p8ntballsk8r]

what about just taking adderal(sp?) that Isn't needed? I know ppl who have prescriptions and give them to other ppl before tests and what not cuz it helps u focus better. I've never tried it and don't really feel the need... but just a thought

 

[zengrifter]

what about just taking adderal(sp?) that Isn't needed? I know ppl who have prescriptions and give them to other ppl before tests and what not cuz it helps u focus better. I've never tried it and don't really feel the need... but just a thought

It looks good, better than ritalin - I'd like to try some. zg

-----------------------
FROM WIKIPEDIA -

In particular, Adderall XR is composed of the following proportions of active ingredients:

• 1/4 dextroamphetamine saccharate
• 1/4 dextroamphetamine sulfate
• 1/4 dextro/levo-amphetamine aspartate (racemicamphetamine)
• 1/4 dextro/levo-amphetamine sulfate (racemicamphetamine)

The four component salts are claimed to be metabolized at different rates, thereby imparting a more gradual and "smoother"
build-up and decline in effect compared to amphetamine preparations comprising only a single salt.

 

[BFC]

my friend has dexedrine, which i thought was just a more potent ritalin, but i guess its completely different after looking at the chemical structures....
i'll let you know what they think of it.

 

[zengrifter]

Dexidrine is dextroamphetamine. zg